Laporta: We are very concerned Uruguay could force Araujo return
Barcelona let Araujo go to the World Cup but on certain conditions
Barcelona president Joan Laporta spoke to the media at the first edition of the Fundació de Enric Masip charity tournament at the Sant Cugat Golf Club. Laporta has reviewed the current situation at the club at a time when most of the players are participating in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Laporta expressed his concern about Ronald Araujo's recovery from injury, Araujo is with the Uruguayan team at the World Cup even though he is still not fully fit.
"We know how excited the players are to go with their national teams, especially the Uruguayans," Laporta said. "Ronald wanted to go and Xavi made the right decision, with some conditions.
"We have two members of our medical team in Uruguay. We do not want the player to be forced [back] to avoid a relapse -- the player and [Uruguay] accepted that.
"He is training and we hope they are prudent with him and that the player's health prevails. If there is a minimum risk, he should not play; he is aware of this situation."
Laporta added he is confident that Araujo "will behave like a professional for Barcelona without taking risks" and that he "will not play against Ghana" and "it will be difficult for him to play during the World Cup."
Asked about Spain's start at the World Cup, Laporta said: "Fantastic. Barcelona are proud to see how our players and the team are playing. Luis Enrique takes on all the pressure and takes it off the players, especially the youngest ones. They are one of the favorites to win the World Cup, along with Brazil or France. They have a chance."
Laporta did not hesitate to attribute a large part of Spain's success to Xavi Hernández's work at Barcelona.
"Xavi is doing very well, we are top of the league," he said. "What is happening with the Spanish team is the result of Xavi's good work. Luis Enrique has been very successful, making a block of players, mostly from one club, our , that facilitates the game, the adaptation and many more things. The merit of this national team belongs to Xavi, because he gives them minutes in the Barça first team."
